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Will eFX be shipping a helmet overseas for a new mold to be made? Or will they ship the mold that eFX made at Lucasfilm?

Any information will be appreciated.

This is my understanding of how the process has gone/will go. Gino is free to correct me if I miss anything.

Original helmet cast.
Master pulled.
Master lightly sanded to remove paint. Cracks (most of which are from AFTER the filming of ESB) removed/filled.
Master cast.
Molding master pulled and brought to SDCC.

It is my understanding from that from here, the molding master will be sent to China where they will make a ton of molds from it and start pumping out the final helmets.

You asked if the mold eFX made of the original helmet would be shipped to China. Never. First, they wouldn't know what to do with it. Second, they couldn't make a finished helmet from it... and you don't want a minimum wage Chinese worker who has never heard of Boba Fett trying to determine the details of your Fett helmet. Third, the chances of the mold being returned intact would be slim to none. Also, you have to realize that mold was made solely for the purpose of pulling a master and nothing more. It wouldn't hold up under the strain of having pull after pull taken from it and it would slowly deteriorate. There were an incredibly small amount of pulls taken from it and only so a production mold master could be created.

I think the questions of when will we see it, how much will it cost, how close to the original helmet will it be in size (will there be any shrinkage)...what materials will be used, what visor will be used, what lights will be used in the RF.

Nothing wrong with any of those questions.

When will you see it? Hard to say. We all know eFX has REALLY REALLY long production times. But... I have been waiting over 12 years for something like this. Another year or so won't kill me.

How much will it cost? I don't know. My guess would be more than $500, and less than $1000, but I am not the one to say and when I asked Bryan, he simply did not know yet.

How close to the original helmet will it be in size? Closer than anything else we will ever see. That might sound like a smart-*** answer, but it is simply the truth. I took tracings of the bottom of the helmet while we were there so, when the final production piece comes out, we can plop it down on that tracing and see, but I expect, if eFX does their job and maintains QC it will be virtually an exact match.

What materials will be used? Fiberglass.

What visor will be used? A visor of correct thickness and color, custom made for this project. Again... unlike any that has ever been produced before. Welding visors are out!

What lights will be used? I don't know. They haven't even begun to look at the electronics or how they will tackle that. This is PURE speculation, but my guess is that they MIGHT try to do something self contained in the RF as opposed to the nightmare of running wires through the stalk. Since Gino is doing all of this, he will be in a better position to answer it.

Fett 4 Real said:

ALOT of people here USE their helmets, they dont just stick them on a shelf to be in awe of. Some collectors will do that, and will want the licensed helmet. Just like the MR...for the name its like owning a pair of OG Jordans new in box...theyre priceless. This helmet if it makes it through production will be something similar one day, priceless... But god knows you wouldnt put them on your feet and walk around in them. So I guess if the helmet comes out and is a perfect replica of the helmet in Empire many people will want it... but with a sizable price tag more then likely due to the pedigree it has, how many will be able to afford it and use it for such purposes as trooping? If its comparable in price to building a helmet maybe, but really it'll be more of a collectors item and worth more if it was not worn...so where does that leave the guy with the lid.

No argument that this is geared to the collector and not to the costumer. eFX does not hold the Star Wars costuming license, so legally they can't market this as a wearable piece (although technically it is). With that being said, when you consider the material and labor that goes into a finished helmet, IF China can reproduce the paint on the ESB helmet in a way that does not require a repaint by fans, AND eFX can keep the price below $1,000 I think you are right in the ballpark for what many costumers end up investing in their fan made helmets already... That is what makes this a game-changer for the higher end costumers. Nothing else can touch it, and while the price might initially seem steep.. you can't compare the price of a finished piece like what eFX offers to the cost of a completely unfinished kit like the ones being offered here. There is a massive amount of work/cost between a kit and a final wearable helmet and with helmet paint jobs costing upwards of $600+? Think about it...

Exactly what people want to hear...below $1000....that is. Its just can they do that and maintain a quality piece, will it have metal ears etc...We can wait and see but the more answers we get now the better people can plan ahead as far as if they will buy it or end up saying this isnt for them.

Exactly what people want to hear...below $1000....that is. Its just can they do that and maintain a quality piece, will it have metal ears etc...We can wait and see but the more answers we get now the better people can plan ahead as far as if they will buy it or end up saying this isnt for them.

Ears will be metal.

Keep in mind, while I helped document this project and while I am close with both Gino and Bryan, I am not an eFX employee or spokesman, so when I tell you I BELIEVE it will be under $1,000 don't hold their feet to the fire if it isn't. That is just my best guess based on other helmets.

Just out of curiosity, but what do you mean about the misinformation in the link? Could you elaborate on that? It still seems kind of broad, I just want to be sure since this going to be a big purchase

No... I am not going to get into a point-by-point rebuttal of Cal's diatribe as it is simply an emotionally-charged attack because he is angry about two unrelated issues and somehow he thought this was the appropriate way to lash out.

If you have a specific question that I have not already answered and that isn't simply parroting Cal's comments, I am more than happy to address it.

We did snap a few photos, but the vast majority of the time that we were there, the helmet was in silicone... and LFL had us on a very tight deadline, so I didn't get nearly as much as I had hoped to get.

RafalFett said:

Art, I want to thank you for providing (involuntarily?) the first shot of the ESB dome top area, which helped me to compare my stencil with the original helmet, so here is the result:

The top images were used to create the dome top scratch with lots of stretching and resizing and the end result is pretty good.

I just hope that you were allowed to photo shoot the ESB helmet, the same way you did with the MR Proto and the GMH (but especially the MR Proto where you had the top and bottom shots too).

I wouldn't put a tremendous amount of stock into what Cal is posting. He has spread a lot of misinformation about this project due to being upset about us deleting a sales thread of his on the RPF because he couldn't follow the rules, so in childish retaliation he is making a number of assumptions and bold statements based on resentment and speculation. How petty is that?

In all fairness (because Cal has probably not seen this yet and has not had a chance to defend his statements) I'm going to have to chime in here and state that I'm pretty sure that's not true Art. You yourself are speculating as to why he made those statements...they were observations he made based on past experiences and what we all saw in the video of (what I'm assuming was) the entire process.
I'm not here to start an argument with you on this, but I think we should let Cal answer that question as to his motivation for stating what he did. I'd like to think I know him personally much better than anyone here, and I know he did not say what he said out of petty spite or retaliation. If we were in a court room, your statement would be dismissed as pure speculation

In all fairness (because Cal has probably not seen this yet and has not had a chance to defend his statements) I'm going to have to chime in here and state that I'm pretty sure that's not true Art. You yourself are speculating as to why he made those statements...they were observations he made based on past experiences and what we all saw in the video of (what I'm assuming was) the entire process.
I'm not here to start an argument with you on this, but I think we should let Cal answer that question as to his motivation for stating what he did. I'd like to think I know him personally much better than anyone here, and I know he did not say what he said out of petty spite or retaliation. If we were in a court room, your statement would be dismissed as pure speculation

Cal and I have never had a run in... then, we have had two in the last 3 days followed immediately by his scathing, yet, largely ill-informed speculatory rant that 1) was pointless as the deed has already been done, without the helmet being damaged in any way and the masters coming from the mold being absolute perfection and 2) only created to stir the pot with other malcontents. Notice he posted on his facebook pages and on the BHG... where he knows we don't go...

His posting was nothing BUT petty childishness. I have little interest in his defense of trying to shame eFX by fearmongering about "what might have been."

We all know there are fans that want want want for lineage and accuracy and a direct casting. Im not one of those. Thats their choice. Sure I like accuracy, who the hell doesn't. But do I want a priceless (to me and some others), mysterious helmet and actual prop from the movies touched.....no. I've preferred to give me hard earned money to people who create on the board. That's my choice. Your little convo in that post doesn't apply to me. If this was an end goal for you and some others then thats fine..awesome. Everyone has dreams and goals. I've simply stated my opinion in this thread that I would've preferred it remain in its status. That is all.

We all know there are fans that want want want for lineage and accuracy and a direct casting. Im not one of those. Thats their choice. Sure I like accuracy, who the hell doesn't. But do I want a priceless (to me and some others), mysterious helmet and actual prop from the movies touched.....no. I've preferred to give me hard earned money to people who create on the board. That's my choice. Your little convo in that post doesn't apply to me. If this was an end goal for you and some others then thats fine..awesome. Everyone has dreams and goals. I've simply stated my opinion in this thread that I would've preferred it remain in its status. That is all.

If you prefer fan sculpts to pieces with lineage, there is nothing wrong with that. I know people who don't want to buy anything from anyone, but prefer to create everything on their own because they take a lot of pride in doing it themselves. Again, nothing wrong with that as it helps develop skills and hones existing talents. My comments weren't meant to be a dig, simply pointing out the genuine confusion in what I see some people posting, including you.

So because I have spent the better part of my life studying Boba Fett and painting tons of helmets I feel as though I'm qualified to post here.

Okay that is complete sarcasm but since I had the opportunity to see the helmet at SDCC and talk to Gino I would like to add my two cents in.

First, I should say having met Gino I know for a fact that he is not the brash person that he may come off as online. (Or even you Art for that matter!) You have to understand that he was presented the opportunity to cast a helmet many felt would never be recast. What would you do in that situation? No. I don't want to hold this helmet that has been so long studied. No I don't want to offer this to other Boba Fett fans? Gino is a fanboy just like the rest of us. Sure is it going to be ultimately cast for a profit... Of course. But that was not his first concern or thought.

Reading all the arguments and concerns it just seems like to me it comes down to buy it if you want to or don't. I'm convinced after conversations with Gino that he took every measure necessary to preserve the helmet and maintain not only the integrity of helmets to be reproduced but also the one he casted from. I wish y'all could see the expression and excitement on his face as he described all the details of the helmet. Finding out the true color of the visor. How many parts the rangefinder breaks down into. It makes me happy to see people who are still passionate about this project and hobby despite all the scrutiny and discouragement. I am looking forward to this helmet and will happily display or use it.

Yes there are a lot of questions left but reading through a lot of responses isn't that what drew everyone here to Boba Fett originally?

Art,
Am I allowed to defend myself against your accusations and name calling? If I try, can I trust that you won't just delete my post?

I am not an active poster on these forums anymore yet you chose to defame me here, where I can't readily defend myself.

My guess is you are just very defensive given all of your years dealing with people on these forums and that is understandable. I have seen a lot of people grow cynical as they grow older. Although, didn't you make a post on facebook a couple of weeks ago that you choose to look at the root of an issue and try to understand where people are coming from, implying that you don't just jump on the bandwagon with a pitchfork. Are you sure you are doing that now or are you driving the carriage, while I'm hiding in the windmill?

Do you feel my review of the molding process was an attack on anyone in particular? Do you feel it was an attack against You? Why did you get worked up over my review? Why did you message me on facebook and call me petty and ignorant? Do you think Gore Verbinski is on a rampage against all the critics who defamed the new Lone Ranger movie? You guys posted that video on the internet, a public arena, where it can and will get reviewed and possibly reviewed in such a way that you don't like. I have had people rip into my creations before. Gino comes to mind Now you delete the link to my review (which is o.k. it doesn't have to be here) but why can't people be allowed to read it? If they want to read it, they can find me and it on facebook.

You know fair well that my review will only bring more people to see the video and boost interest in it. I wouldn't say my review is negative in such a way that it could possibly reduce the number of sales. Even "if" my review was bad advertising, it is still advertising, wouldn't you say? The only potentially negative thing I said that might regard or influence customers and sales is the fact of shrinkage, which you have confirmed here yourself. Is that a bad thing? No. Is it inevitable? Yes. Can it be reduced to the absolute minimum? Definitely.

Art, I would have thought that you of all people would understand the points I was addressing and respect them, analyze them, and think them through, because this involved an original Fett helmet. Did you simply get emotional at the beginning, take it personally, and get stuck on your own feelings? There were incredible risks involved with making the mold in such a way and it didn't just scare me. FP even backed me up. So did a few other mold makers who have been in the hobby for so, so many years. Are you saying that the coincidence of the RPF thread "issue" holds enough weight that my points are conjured or not valid? Most of these people on these forums haven't made enough mistakes, making molds to know when to be careful. You HAVE to make mistakes to learn and a rare piece such as that helmet should not be taken for granted. So, you say a mold has been taken from it already? Did they take into consideration that silicone residue left on an item can cause new silicone to bond to it? I have experienced this first hand. Have you or the efx guys ever had a mold permanently, or even partially bond to a master, ruining both the mold and the master?

Art, dude, I had a couple people tell me about what you have posted here, through text messages, and they said I might want to try to defend myself. They even said to me that they wanted to back me up but were afraid they might get kicked off of the forums if they did. Are you running this place through intimidation? Should I worry now that you might just "delete" me on a whim? How often do you see me starting a fuss on the forums? Do you know how long I've been on the forums? I've been around since 1999, if you didn't realize it. I don't get involved with that stuff, like may others do. I prefer to be positive, share informational things, try to have fun. Do you follow any of my threads on any of the forums (rpf for example)? Is that the type of person you believe me to be?

BTW, for what it's worth, the RPF thread thing had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my review on the EFX video. Coincidence? Sure! The only thing about that, that I was upset with was how it was handled. I didn't "choose to ignore" the rules. I never post things for sale on those forums. I posted my thread out of habit and didn't put a price. That's the way the forums used to be and that's how most forums are. When the members called me out on it I figured o.k. I don't want to put a price so the mods will take care of it. No biggie. It was after that, that it was handled poorly. I tried to explain it to you and Montagar. I'm not sure how to convince you of that. I suppose maybe we should have talked on the phone over that so you didn't read into what I was saying. I think you are grasping, perhaps even projecting a little, I have no idea why you would jump to conclusions and make accusations as you are. Could it be because I am a long time 501st member and I strongly support the 501st? Eh, probably not. That's probably just coincidence albeit maybe the tables are just turned in that example

Art,
Am I allowed to defend myself against your accusations and name calling? If I try, can I trust that you won't just delete my post?

Don't break the rules and don't push an agenda and you shouldn't have a problem.

MonCal said:

I am not an active poster on these forums anymore yet you chose to defame me here, where I can't readily defend myself.

Sure you can. You seemed to have no problem finding your way here and since you already have an account your ability to post seems pretty "readily" to me.

MonCal said:

My guess is you are just very defensive given all of your years dealing with people on these forums and that is understandable. I have seen a lot of people grow cynical as they grow older. Although, didn't you make a post on facebook a couple of weeks ago that you choose to look at the root of an issue and try to understand where people are coming from, implying that you don't just jump on the bandwagon with a pitchfork. Are you sure you are doing that now or are you driving the carriage, while I'm hiding in the windmill?

So, instead of defending... this is the approach you are looking to take? Hoping to put me on the defensive? Not a good start... but let's continue.

MonCal said:

Do you feel my review of the molding process was an attack on anyone in particular? Do you feel it was an attack against You? Why did you get worked up over my review? Why did you message me on facebook and call me petty and ignorant?

Because I feel your response was both.

MonCal said:

Do you think Gore Verbinski is on a rampage against all the critics who defamed the new Lone Ranger movie? You guys posted that video on the internet, a public arena, where it can and will get reviewed and possibly reviewed in such a way that you don't like. I have had people rip into my creations before. Gino comes to mind Now you delete the link to my review (which is o.k. it doesn't have to be here) but why can't people be allowed to read it? If they want to read it, they can find me and it on facebook.

Why in the world would I allow my site to be used to promote such drivel? People are of course ALLOWED to read it, but I don't have to roll out the red carpet to disinformation.

MonCal said:

You know fair well that my review will only bring more people to see the video and boost interest in it. I wouldn't say my review is negative in such a way that it could possibly reduce the number of sales. Even "if" my review was bad advertising, it is still advertising, wouldn't you say? The only potentially negative thing I said that might regard or influence customers and sales is the fact of shrinkage, which you have confirmed here yourself. Is that a bad thing? No. Is it inevitable? Yes. Can it be reduced to the absolute minimum? Definitely.

I have no concern about sales. That is an eFX concern.

MonCal said:

Art, I would have thought that you of all people would understand the points I was addressing and respect them, analyze them, and think them through, because this involved an original Fett helmet. Did you simply get emotional at the beginning, take it personally, and get stuck on your own feelings? There were incredible risks involved with making the mold in such a way and it didn't just scare me. FP even backed me up. So did a few other mold makers who have been in the hobby for so, so many years. Are you saying that the coincidence of the RPF thread "issue" holds enough weight that my points are conjured or not valid? Most of these people on these forums haven't made enough mistakes, making molds to know when to be careful. You HAVE to make mistakes to learn and a rare piece such as that helmet should not be taken for granted. So, you say a mold has been taken from it already? Did they take into consideration that silicone residue left on an item can cause new silicone to bond to it? I have experienced this first hand. Have you or the efx guys ever had a mold permanently, or even partially bond to a master, ruining both the mold and the master?

You keep says "you," addressing me. I didn't conceive the mold, mix the silicone, clay the sculpt, or pour the silicone over it. In fact, two professionals, one who works in the industry every single day did. Part of your mistake in your approach was thinking this was amateur hour because it was reported by someone who doesn't have a history of molding... and then your assumptions compounded from there... in assuming everyone involved was a drooling idiot and wouldn't have considered the things you brought up because you didn't see it all in a 90 second montage.

MonCal said:

Art, dude, I had a couple people tell me about what you have posted here, through text messages, and they said I might want to try to defend myself. They even said to me that they wanted to back me up but were afraid they might get kicked off of the forums if they did. Are you running this place through intimidation? Should I worry now that you might just "delete" me on a whim?

But you haven't defended yourself. You have only carried the same type of unsubstantiated accusations that started on the RPF, moved to facebook, continued on facebook and now have come here. What you are doing now is asking question to try to paint yourself as a victim and me as some scary site admin so others will sympathize with you. You haven't defended anything you have said in all of your words... only continued to essentially do the same thing you did on facebook. Fortunately, for you, no one is ever deleted on a whim...

MonCal said:

How often do you see me starting a fuss on the forums? Do you know how long I've been on the forums? I've been around since 1999, if you didn't realize it. I don't get involved with that stuff, like may others do. I prefer to be positive, share informational things, try to have fun. Do you follow any of my threads on any of the forums (rpf for example)? Is that the type of person you believe me to be?

Yes, I know you are an old-timer like me. I know your history and your contributions. However, your actions over the past week do not reflect that.

MonCal said:

BTW, for what it's worth, the RPF thread thing had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my review on the EFX video. Coincidence? Sure! The only thing about that, that I was upset with was how it was handled. I didn't "choose to ignore" the rules. I never post things for sale on those forums. I posted my thread out of habit and didn't put a price. That's the way the forums used to be and that's how most forums are. When the members called me out on it I figured o.k. I don't want to put a price so the mods will take care of it. No biggie. It was after that, that it was handled poorly. I tried to explain it to you and Montagar. I'm not sure how to convince you of that. I suppose maybe we should have talked on the phone over that so you didn't read into what I was saying. I think you are grasping, perhaps even projecting a little, I have no idea why you would jump to conclusions and make accusations as you are. Could it be because I am a long time 501st member and I strongly support the 501st? Eh, probably not. That's probably just coincidence albeit maybe the tables are just turned in that example

Two heated issues with someone who doesn't have a history of issues within less than 48 hours and then your "concerned" post doesn't seem like much of a coincidence to me. I do like, through the very end up this that you are still working in those subtle character-questioning tidbits. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps you SHOULD have picked up the phone. I am sure you will protest to the contrary, but for someone who has shown so little interest in Fett until this moment... I'll bet if you had posted anything at all, it would have been quite different than what you posted. You will be very pressed to convince me otherwise and nothing in your post here has made it appear any different.

Holy cow dude. Why are you so upset and attacking me like this? I don't know if you mean to do it, but your comments are very offensive. The world through the eyes of Art must be an amazing place.

So your defaming me here is justified then?

I logged on here because some concerned friends told me what you had said.

I am not a every day reader, therefor I am not readily able to defend myself...ya dig?

Breaking the rules with an agenda??? ***?! I don't even know how to respond to that. My sale thread on the RPF wasn't that important. I just threw the hoth set up there to see if someone would bite because I'm struggling and I don't have space for it anyway. Is it possible for you to re-read what we talked about (over the RPF thing) and maybe see Montagars pm's too, to try and view it from a different viewpoint? The timing WAS a coincidence. The ONLY thing I was trying to point out to you during that talk was the fact that both the prop clubs and the 501st have "tools" in them... or people with little respect and that maybe you shouldn't rip on the 501st so much. That's all. I didn't care at all about that, after that.

Thanks for putting words in my mouth for people to conjecture over..."drooling idiots" huh? dang dude! Is that how my review read to you? Is that how you perceive me to be? How about everyone else? I even said I assume the mold makers were just really excited and perhaps they didn't consider all the risks involved. If that equals "drooling idiots"... ..I don't even know how to respond to you over that.

Well dang man, you have put me on the defensive. I tried to type that as best as I could. I'm not trying to be mean to you. I'm not calling you names or making judgements against you. How shall I defend myself regarding what I did? Do I truly "need" to defend myself against posting a review online? You mentioned that I didn't post it here. Of course not. You would delete it in a heartbeat..so why bother.

How can I defend myself against your calling me petty and ignorant? Do you suppose you ever exhibit these traits? How would you defend yourself if you were in my position?

Holy cow dude. Why are you so upset and attacking me like this? I don't know if you mean to do it, but your comments are very offensive. The world through the eyes of Art must be an amazing place.

The world through my eyes is a fantastic place, full of joy, wonder, and excitement, but I appreciate your continued efforts to chip away at me.

MonCal said:

So your defaming me here is justified then?

You haven't been defamed. I have just given a well-intentioned review of your well-intentioned review.

MonCal said:

Thanks for putting words in my mouth for people to conjecture over..."drooling idiots" huh? dang dude! Is that how my review read to you? Is that how you perceive me to be? How about everyone else? I even said I assume the mold makers were just really excited and perhaps they didn't consider all the risks involved. If that equals "drooling idiots"... ..I don't even know how to respond to you over that.

Sure you do. You start a review with "What to do if you want to risk damaging a one of a kind piece of cinematic history" and then go downhill from there. Let's not play coy or kid ourselves. I am not reading anything into it. You started out, by what appears to be your definition of defamation, and then proceeded to place eFX and the professionals it chose to hire in a very questionable light due to assumptions you made, not really having a solid handle on what actually did take place.

MonCal said:

Well dang man, you have put me on the defensive. I tried to type that as best as I could. I'm not trying to be mean to you. I'm not calling you names or making judgements against you. How shall I defend myself regarding what I did? Do I truly "need" to defend myself against posting a review online? You mentioned that I didn't post it here. Of course not. You would delete it in a heartbeat..so why bother.

Wait... I thought you didn't post here because you didn't visit here often. You do post at the RPF but didn't post it there either. You only posted it where you felt you would be safe. So, I followed suit and took you to task over it here. Actually, I tried to ignore it, but some of your friends simply wouldn't let it go.

MonCal said:

How can I defend myself against your calling me petty and ignorant?

I didn't say you were petty and ignorant... but that response/review most certainly was.

MonCal said:

Do you suppose you ever exhibit these traits? How would you defend yourself if you were in my position?

I'll ignore that first question as it is purely baiting. As to the second. I always look to settle things privately first, unless it is on such a mass scale (like the 501st's knee jerk reaction to the trooper suit) that I couldn't address it privately. The thing is, I don't think you want to deal with this privately as the whole point was to make a public spectacle and you have succeeded. Me... I suppose I'd still be looking to pick up that phone...